Method of closing bags



Dec, w R935. W. E. HIGI'GINBOTTOM 2,923,582

METHOD OF CLOS ING BAGS FiledJune 9, 1933 7 SheetS- -Sheet l 1 ATTORNEY.

INVNTOR.

Des, 1&135 w. E. HIGGINBQTTOM fi fi METHOD OF CLOSING BAGS Filed June 9, 1 933 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q INVVENTOR.

BY%I I g in; v,

1 ATTORNEY.

1935. w. E. HIGGINBOTTOM 0 2 METHbD OF CLOSING BAGS Filed June 9, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 {a ATTORNEY.

Esau m 1935. w. E. HIGGINBOTTOM fi fi METHOD OF CLOSING BAGS Filed June 9, 1953 7' Sheets-Sheet 4 ZA If? in" z #11? E A g 2 :1 I T [I T 'INVENTOR.

g; /wwa ATTORNEY.

w. E. HlGGlNBOTTOM 2,023,682

' v METHOD OF CLOSING BAGS Filed June 9, 1933 '7 Sheets-Sheet. 5

I N V EN TOR.

Y 'Mi-CQM I ATTORNEY.

10, 1935. w. E; HIGGINBOTTOM 2,023,632

METHOD 0? CLOSING BAGS Filed June 9, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

BY fifl gfw Man @9311 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1935. w. E. HIGGINBOTTO'M METHOD OF CLOSING BAGS Filed June 9, 1955 v 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 i2. ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. v 10, 1935 UNITED STATES METHOD F CLOSING BAGS William E. Higginbottom, Haverlord Township, Montgomery County, Pa., assignor to Benjamin C. Betncr Company, D

of Delaware evon, Pa., a corporation Application June 9, 1933,, Serial No. 675,046 7 Claims. (01. 936) closed top and to obtain a firm package; more 10 particularly, and in accordance with a preferred method, the bags after receiving their contents are scored individually in accordance with level of the contents.

More particularly, my invention-also comprel hends creasing the ends of the bag to define triangular panels which are folded substantially into the plane of the closed bag top; the aforesaid circumscribing score line and the score lines defining said triangular panels cooperating to rolling down of the open end and squaring off of the top formed thereby.

Also in accordance with one form of my invention, the filled bags are transported along a path, 25 and at successive stations along the path, the bags in succession are subjected to the several steps of closing them,.as scoring, collapsing of the open end, trimming, folding, fastener application, squaring, etc. i

My invention also resides in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed. For an understanding of my invention and for illustration thereof, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which, in perspec- 35 tive:

Fig. 1 illustrates the open mouth of a bag.

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 with addition of scoring or creasing.

Figs. 3 to 5 illustrate successive folding steps.

Fig. 6 illustrates the application of a flexible fastening strip to the folded bag top.

Fig. 7 illustrates application of a label.

Fig. 8 illustrates the completed bag.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the progressive steps of closing bags, at successive stations. v

Figs. 9a to 9b are referred to in explanation of the steps of Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 11 illustrates conveying mechanism to transporting the completed bags. 50 Figs. 12 to 19 illustrate another creased bag and the successive folding steps for closing it.

Fig. 19a illustrates an alternative mode of applying a fastener strip or clip.

Figs. 20 to 28 illustrate another method of 55 using a creased bag to obtain a firm package.

avoid bunching of the bag material during the Fig. 29 illustrates formation'of a creased bag.

Referring toFig; 1, for convenience of explanation the front face of the bag B is designated by the reference character F, the rear face by the reference character R, the left and right ends 5 by, the reference characters Ea and E respectively, The folds or creases C, Ca which result from the bag having been folded flat, .divide the end faces into .two vertical panels of equalwidth.

Referring to Fig. 2 the front face F is divided 10 by the scores of creases l, 2 and 3, into two upper panels P, and Pi of substantially equal width, and a third lower panel P2, whose height or width corresponds substantially to half the width of the bag, i. e., half the distance between the front and rear faces of the bag when extended. The two upper scores, l and 2, as indicated by the pair of parallel lines, are formed by indenting from the front face inwardly, whereas the third or bottom I score 3, as indicated by a single line, is formed. to project slightly from the front panel F. The rear panel R is divided into the upper panel P3, corresponding substantially to panel P of the front face, and panel P4 whose height or width corresponds substantially to thecombined width of the panels Pi and P2 of the front face F. The scores or creases i and 5 which form these two panels both extend outwardly from the rear surface .of face R. The panel P5 of end face E is I defined by the vertical crease C, and the out- 30 wardly projecting scoring 6, and corresponding panel P5a, the end face Ea is formed by the scoring Ca, and the crease 6a. Similarly the panels P6, and Pita, of the two end panels are formed by the scoring 7, la, which, unlike scoring r .of the scoring 8, 8a, which projects outwardly.

Additional creases or lines may be used or some omitted in keeping with the requirements for different thicknesses,-plles and properties of the bag material. There areno corresponding rectangular panels: below the panels P6, and PM;

or otherwise expressed, the scoring 2, 8, 8a extends only half way around the bag. The's'coring 9, on end .face- E and correspondlng'scoring on end Ea, not shown, is in fact a continuation of scoring a and 5, so that what ultimately is to be the top of the closed bag is circumscribed by outwardly extending creasing or scoring. The 65.

' There is a corresponding and similar triangular panel at-end Ea of the ba Toclose the bag, the ends E, Ea are tucked in and the front F and rear R of the bag brought together above the scoring 2. Panels P5 and P3 come together between panels P and P3 at one end of the bag and similarly panels Pia and PM are folde'd'together between P and P3 at. the 7 other end of the bag. Panels P1, and P'|a,:swing into engagement with the inside face of panel Pl. As indicated the score line I of face F'and score line 4 of rear face R nest with score lines 3 and I, and score'lines 3 and 3a nest with score line 2. Furthermore, the outwardly extending score line 9, and inwardly directed scoring ll, l2 facilitates the turning in of triangular panels PIILPIUa and allows 'panels P3, P9 to swing toward engagement withpanels P4 and P2 respectively.

The closed top of the bag formed'by panels P, P3, and end panels P5, P6, P541, and Pia between them, is bent forwardly to the position of Fig. 4, bringing panels P and PI into face to face engagement. This folding or bending is greatlyfacilitated by the scoring I, 3, I, 4, la and 3a, all of which is now-in such relation-as to facilitate folding of the many thicknesses of paper in'this direction. In all cases the line of folding is clearly'or sharply defined by scoring or creasing,

whereas in the absence of such provision, the folding would occur haphazardly and cause undesirable bunching of the paper in some regions.

Scorelines 2, 9, Sa, H, Ila, l2 and l2a are particularlyotassistance in collapsing or folding thewalls F, R, E, and Ea to the position of Fig. 3. Especially when the folding iseifected mechanicallyithe need for the score marks is greater the nearer the level of the bag contents is to the top of the bags The rolling down of the top is continuedby bringing the panel P3 into face to face engagement with panel P2, so that the various panels take theposition shown in Fig. 5. For holding the bag closed, there is applied a flexible fastenin strip S, having ends Se extending beyond the ends of the bag. "This strip may be of a covered metal strip, per se old, or may preferably be ofthe type shown in my application Serial No, -'64I,718, filed November 8, 1932, in which the flexibleele'mentis thin wire bent to form looped ends which are retained in position by the paper .covering. The ends of the fastening device S are turned inwardly, as shown in Fig. 7 to clamp the folded panels together. The bag can be opened' at any time by straightening the ends and unrolling the .bag top. If less than all the contents are used, the bag top may be re-closed by again "rolling it' down and; applying. the fastening, the

70- I label is adhesively applied to the panel P4 and is aforesaid creasing orfolding facilitating closing the bag. I

- Preferably, as indicated in Fig'. "I. the filled bag, after it-is initially closed, is sealed by application of a label L, which may be plain, or upon 'whichthere may appear suitable printing. The

' preferably of such extent that thforward part ofthe label is adhesively applied to the exposed part of panel P2, so that for this. modification,

the completed bag assumes-"the appearance.

strip S, inieach case holds the folded panels of between the chains, and movable thereby to the shown in Fig. 8.

The label, it should be noted, attaches the fastening strip S to the panelI-El. If the label is not used, strip S should be adhesively secured to panel P4. To open the bag,

the label L may be suitably cut or torn, as by 5 severing it along the dotted line X, whereupon after straightening of the fastening strip, the bag may be opened, and thereafter opened and closed as many times as desired. Bending of the the bag in bag closing position.

'Scoremarks 3, 5, 9 and 9a aid in obtaining .neat and even folding, and are particularly use -a stop ll adjacent the conveyor l2 which, as

indicated, may consist of chains l3, l4- provided with, a plurality-of pocket devices l5 extending successive stations hereinafter described. Whenone of the three-sided pockets is adjacent the stop li, a bag is pushed from conveyor l0 into the pocket I5 or equivalent by a suitable transfer device, for example a plunger operating in timed relation to the intermittent movement of the conveyor. The guide bar I6 limits the forward position of the bag; The filled bag is moved by the conveyor'to station #I at which 35 the pocket is vibrated to shake down the contents of the bag so that the upper level falls, as indicated by the decreased height of the dotted line H. The shaking may be effected by any suitable mechanism, forexample by the arrangement generically illustrated in Fig. 9a, in which the cam l8vibrates thearm I9 connected to the bottom plate 20 of the pocket I5. The slots 21 in the bracket 22 of the pocket permits this vertical movement.

Each bag in turn is moved to station #2 where further settling is effected by vibration of the pocket. Any suitable mechanism may be used, for example, such as shown in Fig. 9a. The decreased height of the level is shown by dotted line 11.. At the third station, the 'plunger 23 is moved'downwardly through the open mouth of the bag to a predetermined position. 3 The pocket with the filled bag is moved upwardly, as for example by mechanism generally of the type shown in Fig. 9b, until the bottom of the plunger is engaged by the bag contents. The pocket is held in this elevated position, as by the pawl 24 engaging teeth of the bar 25. As the particular mechanism is not part of the present invention, constructional details are omitted for clarity. While the bag is in this position four dies, one for each face of the bag, move toward the block 23 to score the bag, generally, and preferably as previously described connection with Fig. 2. Briefly, the die 26 has the projections 21 and 28 for forming the depressed scoring I and 2 of the front of the bag, and the groove 29 which cooperates with a. projection on the opposite face of the block 23, to form the projecting scoring 3'. The die 30 is provided with grooves 3|, 32, which cooperate with projections on the block 23 to form the scoring 4 and 5. Similarly, dies 33,

. only one of which is shown for clarity, are pro- '65 substantially squaredenhancing their shelf apform the scoring for the end faces E and Ea of the bag.

It should be noted that the location of the scoring determining the ultimate top of the bag, 1. e., the scoring 3, 9, and 5, is determined by the level of the bag contents and is not arbitrarily located on the bag, so that as between different bags, there may be more or less difference in height from time to time, because of, for example, change in density of the material due to atmospheric changes, differences in processing such as grinding, roasting, weighing, etc.

After the dies and block 23 are withdrawn, the pocket and bag, still in elevated-position, 'move to station #4, at which the'blocks 34 having the parallel faces 35 and inclined faces 36 move together to bring the various'panels of the bag in the position shown in Fig. 3. The tucking tools 3?! foldin the panels-P5, P6,P5 a and PM, and in general move all of the panels P5 to Pill, and P511 to P I 0a. of ends E and Ea, generally to the position shown in Fig. 3. As the position of the scoring is determined by the bag contents, there may be more 'or less excess bag material, 1. e., the panels P and P3 may be wider than necessary. Therefore before the folding shown in Fig. 4, is efiected, the excess material is cut from the top, this ring W of excess paper may be removed, at station #4, or as indicated may be cut from the bag upon arrival at station #5 at. which the bag is still in elevated position. It is preferred that after this trimming the distance between the trimmed top and the score marks I (and 4) be slightly greater than the distance between score marks I and 2. This ensures that thetop edges shall be clamped or wedged in the fold along score mark 2 which is of material aid in preventing the sifting out from the completely closed bag, of finely ground or powdered materials as pulverized coffee, flour,

sugar, etc. When desired, adhesive, or gum, pref erably a so-called pressure-sensitive adhesive, may be disposed along or in the region of score mark 2 to increase the effectiveness of the seal.

At station #5 the top of the bag is rolled down. performing the steps generally shown by Figs. 4 and 5, and at the next station, #6, the bag fastener, for example, paper covered metal strip cut from the roll til or removed from a stack or magazine is applied and bent to holding position.

At station #7, a label L, removed from a stack 39 thereof or cut from a roll, is adhesively applied, completing the bag. At station #8, the bag,

is pushed from the pocket is, as by the plunger fill, onto. belts a2 and ill) which carry it between conveyor belts All and 62, the spacing between which corresponds to the desired'width of the completed bag. During the preceding operations the contents of the bag tend to settle rather compactly and effect bulging of the bag. This condition is remedied and thebag walls and top brought to a I substantially rectangular condition or squared-. off by the belts M, 52. The scoring 3, 5, 9, and 9c form the top edges of the bag and facilitate the squaring-off. The packages formed by. the filled bags are firm, tightly wrapped, and the ends are so that each of the bags as delivered by the belts is in effect a firm package, whereas if the top of the bag were arbitrarily determined by pre-scoring it, which scoring would have tobe positioned to accommodate the maximum volume, some of the bags would have an appreciable empty space I at their tops which is undesirable both from the produced by the same die element forming score line 2, etc. The creasing I 4, I5 forms the score lines I I, I2, I la, I20. defining the triangular panels PIll, Pliia.

The bag illustrated in Figs. 12 to 19 has an additional foldin the rolled-down top which is provided by the creasing Ia, 4a, 6B, 1B, 6C, 10. As indicated by Figs. 16 to 19, the fastener strip S may be applied to panel Pa and is wound into the folded end as it is rolled down. As previously described, the panels defined by the scoring, are brought into overlying relation and the ends Se of the fastener strip turned in to clamp the ends of the fold, Fig. 19.

If desired, the closed end instead of being flattened against the bag top as in Fig. 19, may remain erect, as in Fig. 18, and the end Se of strip S bent backwardly; or as indicated in Fig. 19a,

the strip S may be applied to the erect rolled-down end after the rolling down has been completed to embrace all of the folds. In any of the modifications, a label maybe applied to overlie the rolled down top. and fastener as previously described.

A method of obtaining a firm package with -prescored bags is illustrated in, Figs. 20 to 28.

The bag shown in Fig. 20 is open at both ends, i. e. it is in the form of a tube as more clearly appears in the plan view in Fig. 21. The scoring may be efiected while the bag is collapsed, as in Fig. 12, or it may be distended and only the score lines actually used impressed on each face, as at station 3 of'Fig. 9, or generally as appears in Fig. 29. The top of the bag is rolled-down and a fastener applied. The collapsed bag is distended as by plunger or block for reception 'of its contents. After removalof the block, the desired weight of material is passed through the open bottom of the bag in which it assumes a level determined by the existing conditions ofhumidity, temperacomprise the form for folding. Therefore, al-

though the bags before filling may be identical, the filled bags may vary in height, for example as much as two inches for pound bags of cofiee. All bags will present a firm appearance because each is individually formed'about or fitted to its contents.

A preferred method of closing the open bottom is shown by Figs. 23 to 27. Referring to Fig. 20, the material M, for example coffee, has assumed a level i'la which as above stated may be different for different bags for the same weight of contents. One side of the bag is turned down against the top'oi the material, the overlap of the turned down flap H therefore varying in accordance with level H, i. e., the material itself is a form determining the line along which the flap H is bent.

Thereafter the front, rear and opposite side walls are folded to the position shown by Fig. 24, and preferably adhesive is applied along the region X to sealthe bottom of the bag by adhesively securing the overlapping bag material.

This folding forms two triangular flaps J, J 1 extending at right angles from the front and rear of the bag, which, as indicated by Figs. 25 to 27, are turned into overlying engagement with the bottom of the bag formed by flaps H and H. Flaps J and J I may be held in position by suitable application of adhesive, and/or by application of a label L, Fig..2'7, which secures the flap J, J I toeach other and to bottom panels'H, HI.

The completed bag shownin Fig. 28, is substantially rectangular and firm, facilitating packing:

and affording enhanced shelf appearance.

For removing the bag contents, the ends Se of clip S are bent outwardly'and the top of the bag unrolled. If only part of the contents are used, the remainder may be preserved for subsequent use by re-rolling the topof the bag and again bending the. ends of clip to clamp the rolled-down end.

.It is not necessary that the creasing or scor- 111;; be effected while the bag is collapsed as in Fig. 12. The mouth of the bag may be held open as by plunger 23a, Fig. 29, preferably provided with grooves and/or projections which cooperate with projections and/or grooves of the dies 26a, 33:: etc., when moved into engagement with the bag, to form the desired score lines.

The scoring or creasing is of advantage whether the bag closing operations be effected manually v closing bags.

after applying an elongated flexible fastening.

strip and bending the ends thereof releasably to clamp the ends of the rolled down end in bagclosing position, and thereafter adhesively applying sheet material to join said strip to said rolled down end.

2.. The method of closing'a filled bag which comprises creasing'the open end of the bag at a p of the bag contents to formparallel panels, trimdlstance from its bottom'de'termined by the level of the bag contents to form parallel panels, therein bag-closing position.

ming the top edge of the bag to a predetermined height above said level, thereafter rolling down the open end of the bag to effect overlying relation of said parallel panels, and applying securing means to hold the rolled down end in bag-closing 5 position. l

3., The method of closing a fllledbag which comprises creasing the open end of the bag at a distance from its bottom determined by the level after rolling down the open end 'of the bag to efiect overlying relation of said panels, bringing a flexible fastener into engagement with the rolled down 'end, and bending the ends of said fastener to clamp the ends of the overlying panels 4. The method of closing a'filled bag which comprises creasing the open end of the, bag at a distance from its bottom determined by the level of the bag contents to form parallel panels, there after rolling down the open end of the bag to efiect overlying relation of said panels, applying a fastener strip' and bending its ends to clamp. the overlying panels in bag closing position, and applying sheet material to overlie and join the fastener strip and the top of the bag. 7 v

5. Themethod of closing a filled bag which comprises closing the mouth of the bag, thereafter trimming ofi the top edge to a predetermined height above the level' 'of the bag contents, rolling down the top of the bag, and ap'plying securing means to hold the rolled downtop in bag-closing position.

6. The method of c-losing'a filled bag which comprises creasing the open end of the bag at a distance from its bottomdetermined by the level of its contents to form panels, closing the mouth of the bag by bringing the uppermost panels into substantially the same plane, thereafter trimming off the top edge of the bag to a predeter- 40 mined height" above said level, thereafter rolling down the 'top of the bag to bring said panels into overlying relation with lower panels, and'applying and bending a fastener strip to clamp the rolled down top in bag-closing position.

7. The method of closing filled bags which comprises moving them along a path, at a region in said path rolling down the open ends of the bags in succession, and at a subsequent region in said path attaching flexible fasteners to the bags in succession forholding the rolled-down ends in bag closing position. 1 I

, wnumnmaemno'i ron. 

